ELDERLY MEN.

HC Deb 18 May 1939 vol 347 cc1587-8

10. Mr. Tinker

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of unemployed men over 55 years of age who are signing on at the Employment Exchanges; and the figures for 1937 and 1938?

Mr. E. Brown

At 3rd May, 1937, and 28th February, 1938, men aged 55 years and over represented 21.8 per cent. and 19.7 per cent., respectively, of all unemployed men aged 18 and over on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain. I regret that figures are not yet available in respect of any date in 1939. If the hon. Member will be good enough to repeat his question after Whitsun, I will gladly give him the percentage on 1st May, 1939.

Mr. Lawson

Would it not be better for the nation if these men who are out of work were pensioned off, as there is no hope for them at all?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member will see from my answer that the figures relating to these men have improved.

11. Mr. Tinker

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention of his Department to consider insisting that, on all Government contracts, those who are taken on to do the work shall include a percentage of men who have reached the age of 55 years?

Mr. Brown

No, Sir. It is the general practice of Employment Exchanges, in sending forward unemployed men to employers in connection with vacancies notified by them, to select those who are regarded as industrially best fitted for the work. I can assure the hon. Member however that Employment Exchanges will continue to give, as they are giving, in all cases, sympathetic consideration to the claims of the older unemployed men, provided that they are capable of doing the work required.

Mr. Tinker

What are we to do with regard to those people if we cannot get contractors to take them? Who else will take them? This question will grow bigger unless something is done.

Mr. Benjamin Smith

Would the right hon. Gentleman amplify his remark that the Employment Exchanges choose men for the jobs; whereas, other things being equal, the men should go by rota?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Member looks at my answer he will find that he has misunderstood it.

Mr. Kirkwood

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know from experience that men of 55 are capable of giving a very good account of themselves in the industrial field?